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London remains in the solar panel manufacturing business despite the move by the Ontario government to drop the domestic content requirements for green energy projects in the province.

Canadian Solar, which started production at a long awaited plant on Global Dr. in London in November, has hired 170 workers and is ramping up production.

The move by the province to abandon its much vaunted content rules after losing international trade rulings doesn't change the immediate prospects for the London plant, said Colin Parkin, general manager of Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc.

"It doesn't affect any of our plans at this point for and our commitment to the facility and the work we have ahead at this time," Parkin said.

But it does mean the London plant will face increased competition from imports, he said.

"From our point of view, like any business, we have to look for ways to be long-term competitive against imports and we have to develop our products and technology to service both the domestic market and export markets. We have challenges ahead to do that but it is our endeavor to do our best to make that facility sustainable," he said.

The London plant is producing solar modules for large scale solar farms and "medium voltage power stations" - units that convert current so it can be used on the grid.

Parkin said the launch of production in London has gone well and Canadian Solar is pleased with the quality and commitment of its new London employees.

"It is going along very well," he said.

Canadian Solar held a two-day job fair in London in October that drew more than 500 applicants.